Policy Paper: The Ethics of Using Formers to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism
Keywords:
Former Extremists, PCVE, Ethics, Research, PractitionersAbstract
After 9/11, the academic study of terrorism flourished as more government resources were focused on counterterrorism efforts. As the focus slowly shifted towards P/CVE or Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, more and more articles lauded the potential benefits of including Formers. The idea behind that was that experience equals expertise. Formers have been valuable data sources as research participants. However, the current trend has seen Formers leave that role and take on far more complicated and sophisticated roles, such as deradicalization experts, claiming to help people leave extremism. This policy paper focuses on the evidence, specifically the lack of evidence, to support the prevailing assumptions regarding the effectiveness of Formers and dissects the ethical issues arising from their involvement in P/CVE. The paper ends with policy recommendations to shift P/CVE activities and research toward a more empirically-grounded model. Since P/CVE initiatives involve a variety of actors, from academic researchers to the media to practitioners, this paper is not aimed at one field or profession. Rather, it is intended for everyone involved in P/CVE-related activities, including research.
References
Alonso, R. (2008). Leaving terrorism behind in Northern Ireland and the Basque country: Reassessing anti-terrorist policies and the ‘peace processes.’ In T. Bjorgo & J. Horgan. Leaving terrorism behind: Individuald and collective disengagement. New York: Routledge.
Alonso, R. & Bada, J.D. (2016) What role have former ETA terrorists played in counterterrorism and counterradicalization initiatives in Spain?, Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 39(11), p. 982-1006, doi: 10.1080/1057610X.2016.1154365.
APA (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code.
Bélanger, J., Nisa, C., Schumpe, B., Gurmu, T., Williams, M., & Putra, I. (2020). Do counter-narratives reduce support for ISIS? Yes, but not for their target audience. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01059.
Brown, R. A., Helmus, T.C., Ramchand, R., Palimaru, A.I., Weilant, S., Rhoades, A.L., & Hiatt, L. (2021). Violent extremism in America: Interviews with former extremists and their families on radicalization and deradicalization. RAND Corporation. Santa Monica, CA. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1071-1.html.
Buckley, C. (2020). Former White supremacist: This is how to tackle hate and bigotry. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/12/opinions/former-white-supremacist-how-to-tackle-hate-buckley/index.html.
Clubb, G. (2014). “From terrorists to peacekeepers”: The IRA's disengagement and the role of community networks, Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 37(10), 842-861, doi: 10.1080/1057610X.2014.941434.
CNN. (n.d.). What motivated the Las Vegas shooting? CNN. https://www.cnn.com/videos/bestoftv/2014/06/10/ac-mark-potok-arno-michaelis.cnn.
DHS (n.d.). Targeted violence and terrorism prevention grant program. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.dhs.gov/tvtpgrants.
Englund, S. (2023). Domestic terrorism is evolving. It needs imaginative counterterrorism. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2023/01/18/domestic-terrorism-is-evolving-it-needs-imaginative-counterterrorism/.
Enzinna, W. (2018). Inside the radical, uncomfortable movement to reform White supremacists. Mother Jones. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/07/reform-white-supremacists-shane-johnson-life-after-hate/.
Fekete, L. (2015). Rewiring fascists: behind the cult of Exit. Race & Class, 56(3), 91-101. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306396814556226.
Feuer, A. (2022). Jason Van Tatenhove, a former Oath Keepers spokesman, now talks about its dangers. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/12/us/jason-van-tatenhove-oath-keepers-jan-6.html.
Gansewig, A. & Walsh, M. (2021). Broadcasting your past: Analysis of a German former right-wing extremist’s YouTube channel for preventing and countering violent extremism and crime. Journal for Deradicalization, 29, 129-176.
Gaudette, T., Scrivens, R., & Venkatesh, V. (2022) Disengaged but still radical? Pathways out of violent right-wing extremism. Terrorism and Political Violence. doi: 10.1080/09546553.2022.2082288.
Hategan, E. (2019). Profiting from hate: “Motivational speakers” compete over who has the best sob story. Now Toronto. https://nowtoronto.com/news/hate-neo-nazi-racism-profiteers.
Hoffman, B. (2021). How has the terrorism threat changed twenty years after 9/11? Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/how-has-terrorism-threat-changed-twenty-years-after-911.
Hu, J.C. (2018). Former jihadi, neo-Nazi stand up to hate groups. Voice of America. https://www.voanews.com/a/former-jihadi-neo-nazi-work-against-hate-groups/4530227.html.
Jackson, R. (2007a). introduction: the case for critical terrorism studies. Eur Polit Sci, 6, p. 225–227. doi: https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.eps.2210140.
Jackson, R. (2007b) the core commitments of critical terrorism studies. Eur Polit Sci 6, p. 244–251 https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.eps.2210141.
Jeff Schoep (n.d.). [LinkedIn page]. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-schoep-126472213/.
Kelly, M. & DeCook, J. (2022). Not so reformed. How “countering violent extremism” groups elevate “former” White nationalists. Political Research Associates. https://politicalresearch.org/2022/04/01/not-so-reformed#_edn5.
Koehler, D. (2020). Involvement of formers in countering violent extremism: A critical perspective on commonly held assumptions. Frühere Extremisten in der schulischen Präventionsarbeit, 15-22.
Koehler, D., Clubb, G., Bélanger, J., Becker, M., & Williams, M. (2023). Don’t kill the messenger: Perceived credibility of far-right former extremists and police officers in P/CVE communication. Terrorism and Political Violence. doi: 10.1080/1057610X.2023.2166000.
Lazar, K. (2023). ‘Parents are terrified the whole family will be labeled as racist.’ Amid rising hate, Mass. group provides lifeline for children on verge of extremism. Boston Globe.
Mastroe, C., & Szmania, S. (2016). “Surveying CVE Metrics in prevention, disengagement and de-Radicalization programs,” Report to the Office of University Programs, Science and Technology Directorate, Department of Homeland Security. START. College Park, MD.
McAleer, T. (2021). A former neo-Nazi’s guide to deprogramming Trump cultists. The Daily Beast. https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/movies/former-neo-nazi-guide-deprogramming-100429034.html.
McCloskey, S. (2022). How one ‘former’ helps people leave violent extremist groups. VPM. https://www.vpm.org/news/2022-08-12/how-one-former-helps-people-leave-violent-extremist-groups.
NIJ. (2017). The Role of Social Media in the Evolution of Al-Qaeda-Inspired Terrorism. National Institute of Justice. https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/role-social-media-evolution-al-qaeda-inspired-terrorism.
Parker, D., & Lindekilde, L. (2020). Preventing extremism with extremists: A double-edged sword? An analysis of the impact of using former extremists in Danish schools. Education Sciences, 10(4), 111. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci10040111.
PBS (2016). Former extremist: 'I was living dual lives.' [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1oD4zUpf6E.
PBS NewsHour. (2016). An extremist’s path to academia – and fighting terrorism. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/extremists-path-academia-fighting-terrorism.
Reeves, J. (2017). Former white supremacists help others leave hate groups. AP. https://apnews.com/article/us-news-ap-top-news-in-state-wire-pa-state-wire-hate-groups-690ae31e52674a3c89aed5b7fadd109a.
Romo, V. (2019). FBI finds no motive in Las Vegas shooting, closes investigation. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2019/01/29/689821599/fbi-finds-no-motive-in-las-vegas-shooting-closes-investigation.
Saslow, E. (2018). Rising out of hatred. The awakening of a former White nationalist. Doubleday: New York.
Smyth, M.B., Gunning, J., Jackson, R., Kassimeris, G., & Robinson, P. (2008). Critical terrorism studies–an introduction, Critical Studies on Terrorism, 1(1), p. 1-4. doiI: 10.1080/17539150701868538.
Stampnitzky, L. (2014). Disciplining terror: How experts invented “terrorism.” Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.
Sylvester, S., Haeder, S., & Callaghan, T. (2022). Just say no? Public attitudes about supportive and punitive policies to combat the opioid epidemic. Journal of Public Policy, 42(2), 270-297. doi:10.1017/S0143814X21000155.
The White House (2011). Empowering local partners to prevent violent extremism in the United States. https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/empowering_local_partners.pdf.
US v. Garbin. 1:20-CR-183. (2021). https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WVcCr1Sz-xEo9ZBVf367tFsLFjlj71de/view.
U.S. Government Publishing Office (2015). The rise of radicalization: Is the U.S. government failing to counter international and domestic terrorism? https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-114hhrg97916/html/CHRG-114hhrg97916.htm.
Walsh, M., & Gansewig, A. (2019). A former right-wing extremist in school-based prevention work: Research findings from Germany. Journal for Deradicalization, 21, 1-42.
Walsh, M., & Gansewig, A. (2021). Long-term experience means professionalization – Or does it? An in-depth look on the involvement of former extremists in German prevention and education. Journal for Deradicalization, 27, 108-145.
Weine, S. (2015). Understanding communities’ attitudes toward CVE. START. https://www.start.umd.edu/pubs/STARTResearchBrief_UnderstandingCommunitiesAttitudesTowardCVE_Feb2015.pdf.
Weine, S. & Eisenman, D. (2016). How Public Health Can Improve Initiatives to Counter Violent Extremism. START. https://www.start.umd.edu/news/how-public-health-can-improve-initiatives-counter-violent-extremism.
Additional Resources
Braune, J. (Forthcoming). Harms of the compassion narrative: Ethical considerations regarding stories of disengagement from White supremacist movements. In Vaugh, A., Braune, J., Tinsley, M., & Mondon, A. The Ethics of Researching the Far Right, (University of Manchester Press).
Clubb, G. (2016). Social movement de-radicalisation and the decline of terrorism: The morphogenesis of the Irish Republican Movement (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315678290.
Clubb, G. & Tapley, M. (2018) Conceptualising de-radicalisation and former combatant re-integration in Nigeria, Third World Quarterly, 39 (11), 2053-2068, doi: 10.1080/01436597.2018.1458303.
Clubb, G. (2016) The role of former combatants in preventing youth involvement in terrorism in Northern Ireland: A framework for assessing former Islamic State combatants, Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 39(9), 842-861, doi: 10.1080/1057610X.2016.1144917.
Gansewig, A. & Walsh, M. (2022) “That is simply one thing that goes with it”: former extremists in school settings and empirical evidence, Educational Review, doi: 10.1080/00131911.2022.2028733.
Gielen, A.J. (2019). Countering violent extremism: A realist review for assessing what works, for whom, in what circumstances, and how? Terrorism and Political Violence, 31(6), 1149-1167. doi:10.1080/09546553.2017.1313736.
Koehler, D. (2016). Understanding deradicalization: Methods, tools and programs for countering violent extremism. Routledge.
Kudnani, A. & Hayes, B. (2018). The globalization of countering violent extremism policies. Transnational Institute. https://www.preventwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/014092_26ca35cecec34464a5419fb6e72bf7e9.pdf.
Loss, J.T. (1987). Criminals selling their stories the first amendment requires legislative reexamination, Cornell L. Review, 72(6), 1331-1354. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/73975939.pdf.
Moonshot. (2022). Standards for referrals. requirements for conducting interventions. Moonshot. https://149736141.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/Standards-for-Referrals.pdf.
Pemberton, A. (2014). Terrorism, forgiveness and restorative justice. Oñati Socio-Legal Series 4(3), 369-389.
Piltch-Loeb, R., McBride, M.K., Ekström, A., Hadji-Janex, M., Nielse, R., Legault, R., Harriman, N.W., & Savoia, E. (2021). The use of a scenario-based nominal group technique to assess P/CVE programs: Development and pilot testing of a toolkit. Journal for Deradicalization, 28, 108-140.
Press Association. (2006). Move to stop criminals profiting from publishing. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/nov/10/pressandpublishing.politics.
Williams, M.J. (2017). Prosocial behavior following immortality priming: experimental tests of factors with implications for CVE interventions, Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, 9(3), 153-190. doi: 10.1080/19434472.2016.1186718.
Williams, M.J. (2022). Incentivizing P/CVE research, evaluation, & program participants. Journal for Deradicalization, 31, 164-174.
Williams, M.J. (2022). Research methods brief: Anatomy of process evaluations for P/CVE. Journal for Deradicalization, 30, 262-274.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Katerina Papatheodorou
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
The JD Journal for Deradicalization uses a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND) Licence. You are free to share - copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format under the following conditions:
Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, andindicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
NonCommercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
NoDerivatives — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material.
